-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Each Father 's Day , I thank my father for giving me life -- twice -- the first time in the traditional sense and the second when he donated his kidney to me . When I speak about getting him a Father 's Day gift , he says the best gift I can give him is to live a good , healthy life .

Five years ago , we were in the OR , side by side as one of his kidneys was transferred into my body , saving my life . I had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes the summer I turned 17 , and now , 20 years later , my kidneys were so damaged from the ups and downs of sugar in my blood that my medical team told me I needed either to get on dialysis or to receive a new organ from a deceased donor or a living relative .

To my father , the choice was simple -- he said , `` Let 's do it next week . ''

I marveled at his ability to make a quick decision that would alter both of our bodies forever .

During the pre-operation testing period , we spent a lot of time together . We kept our spirits high and our minds off the possibility of a failure or a postponement -LRB- if one of us got sick , for instance , or if my kidneys got worse and I needed dialysis -RRB- by making plans for the future -- all the things we wanted to do individually and apart .

Before he knew of my condition , my father , 63 , had made plans to climb to Mount Everest 's base camp with close friends , and it was scheduled for about two months after surgery . I was worried about the short recovery time , but he kept his sights on this adventure of a lifetime in addition to my regaining my health .

As a debt of gratitude to my dad -LRB- who finished his Mount Everest trek in good health -RRB- , I created my new company , Lyfebulb , an organization that aims to connect and help people with chronic disease and inspire them to lead better lives . The ultimate goal is curing people of diabetes , kidney disease and other chronic illnesses , but while scientists in academia and industry fight that battle , I wanted to create a place both online and offline , for people to enjoy the small pleasures in life , share their stories , learn about new treatments and medications , and find resources .

Many people are not as fortunate as I was . As noted in the 2013 U.S. Renal Data System , about 34 % of patients with diabetes survive five years after initiation of hemodialysis and 10 % were alive after 10 years . Waiting for an organ on the regular transplant list may take years . Those years are tough ones , and when the organ finally arrives , it may be too late .

I believe that many more people would do what my father did for me if they knew more about the transplant process and outcomes . Improving access to organs is crucial now that the rate of diabetes is exploding and the average age of people living is increasing . We will be faced with many individuals needing an organ who may not have someone to ask who is educated about the risks , healthy enough to be approved and willing to step up to the plate .

Since the transplant , my father and I have celebrated holidays , gone skiing , enjoyed wine , argued and laughed -- essentially behaved like a normal father and daughter -- with the exception that we share his original pair of kidneys . Every day I remind myself what a precious gift my father has given me . I am alive today thanks to my father , and I hope to make him proud .

One day a year is n't enough to celebrate and thank my father for all he has done for me . To show my appreciation , the best gift I will give my dad this Father 's Day is to take care of my health and to live each day to its fullest . It 's the gift I 've been giving him each year since we were in the OR side by side . And I plan on giving that gift to him for many Father 's Days to come .

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Karin Hehenberger : Celebrating Father 's Day is n't enough to thank her dad for saving her life

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With Type 1 diabetes , she needed kidney transplant ; her dad said , `` Let 's do it next week ''

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The transplant success inspired her to start a site helping those with chronic ailments connect

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She says many do n't have option she did ; she thanks her dad by living a good , healthy life